Have You Visited Nashville’s Historic Jefferson Street Lately?

Located in the heart of North Nashville, Jefferson Street is a longstanding home for local businesses, art, history, and music. Whether you’ve just moved to Nashville or have lived here for years, this historic street is a place to know — especially as its community works to preserve and rejuvenate the area’s unique culture.

For Nashvillian Monchiere’ Holmes-Jones, Jefferson Street has been an integral part of her life, both personally and professionally. Not only does she have a business of her own along the strip — MOJO Marketing & PR — but she’s also the founder of the Jefferson Street Historical Society. Today, Monchiere’ takes us on a tour of Jefferson Street’s legacy, preservation efforts, and businesses that are close to her heart.

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The decision to open her business on Historic Jefferson Street was no accident. In fact, Monchiere’ searched and waited for three years for a location to become available.

“When I first moved to Nashville, I Googled ‘Black people in Nashville,’ and guess what came up? Jefferson Street,” she recalls. “I learned that the first all-Black fire station in Tennessee was on Jefferson Street, a man started a shopping mall on Jefferson Street, and all of these things … I was like, ‘I want to be there.’”

After learning about the role that Jefferson Street played in Black history, Monchiere’ wanted to ensure its legacy didn’t get lost as Nashville evolves and grows — a sentiment that sparked the creation of the Jefferson Street Historical Society.

“[The Jefferson Street] community is so unique,” says Monchiere’. “It’s the only place in America today with 50-plus Black-owned businesses. I brought this idea to our councilperson at the time, and she understood and agreed. However, it just wasn’t a part of what she had already developed. They didn’t have that agenda.”

Monchiere’ took matters into her own hands and began to put up billboards to promote Jefferson Street businesses, initiated meetings with other business owners, and even raised money for struggling businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The historical society was officially formed in 2022 with a board of directors that was made up of 17 locals. While that may seem like a lot of people to have on one board, Monchiere’ says she wanted to be sure every business type and demographic within the Jefferson Street area was represented.

Today, out of the 128 businesses located along Jefferson Street, nearly 90 are African American- or Black-owned — and the historical society works to ensure this number only continues to grow.

“The big part of it is that we come together once or twice a month,” says Monchiere’ of the organization’s mission. “We’re really just finding ways to preserve the things we still have, beautify the things we have … and then amplify all of that.”

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These preservation and beautification efforts include officially renaming the strip to Historical Jefferson Street, planting trees, implementing a self-guided walking tour, and hosting unique events. Most importantly, however, the historical society wants people to visit Jefferson Street to interact with its landmarks and local businesses.

For Monchiere’, a must-visit stop along the strip is Fisk University’s Jubilee Hall, which serves as the home base for the legendary Fisk Jubilee Singers — who are credited with giving Nashville the nickname Music City after visiting the Queen of England (source).

Monchiere’ recommends taking a moment to reflect outside Jubilee Hall near its iconic rock wall from the 1800s, which remains seemingly untouched.

“Country [music] has thrived, and other music continues to thrive in this city,” she says. “[But there’s] that one wall … where these amazing singers brought their talents to get educated and learn more. It’s the reason [many people] are living in this city right now.”

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When you’re done visiting Jubilee Hall, Monchiere’ recommends stopping into one of the local eateries for a bite to eat. Popular restaurants include Kingdom Café & Grill (also known to host live jazz music!), Helen’s Hot Chicken, and Ooh Wee BBQ.

Another essential stop along Jefferson Street is Alkebu-Lan Images, which serves as Nashville’s only Black-owned bookstore. Originally founded by Yusef Harris, the store is now run by his son Jordan and offers everything from books to apparel and art.

For Monchiere’, however, the business is so much more than a store. She shares a story that speaks volumes about Jefferson Street’s strong sense of community.

“When I first arrived on the street, Yusef sent me a book,” she recalls. “He welcomed me to the street with a book [called] Mojo, which is the name of my company. When he passed on, I took the billboards we own on the strip and wrapped them with his face as a gift. We all treat each other like that.”

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That love and connection runs deep throughout Jefferson Street and the surrounding area — and it’s all thanks to its tight-knit, welcoming community. “We are just a cool bunch of folks who have their business on Jefferson Street, so why not go in there and say hello?” says Monchiere’.

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